has anybody tried Kevlar/syn gut with lower tension on the 99S? perhaps this would defeat the enhanced main string snap-back effect, but, might maintain launch consistency for a longer period of time than what a lot of people are reporting?

I've been curious about this. Will probably give it a go when I get the chance.

Can you please say more re there being different versions (or not, as the case may be) as in what testers (like yourself, drak), players, etc, may have been given to look at as opposed to the retail ones out now.

Someone has told me the quality seems a bit down on the retail ones in comparison.

Just wanting to check this.

THX

Ross,

Just received my Steam today. Unstrung weight is exactly 10.7. Given Wilson's QC issues of the past I was quite surprised to see it come in spot on.

Ross, I work at a pro shop, and most of the 99's I have randomly tested (balance, weight, swing weight) are very close to spec. There hasn't been any huge variations.

I see. Yes, I was just curious if before the the retail 99s came out, testers, high level players, etc, were submitted frames to test which differed slightly in materials or whatever to those that later came out. Cheers d.

Quote:

Just received my Steam today. Unstrung weight is exactly 10.7. Given Wilson's QC issues of the past I was quite surprised to see it come in spot on.

Let us know how you find it, Muzza. I need to weigh mine actually. And it would be great to know my balance too. It does seem a bit off to me.

Ross, I work at a pro shop, and most of the 99's I have randomly tested (balance, weight, swing weight) are very close to spec. There hasn't been any huge variations.

So far, so good. After 9 sets and no hitting, the string is visibly notched and I expect it to break next match or hit. I guess I'm just not that good a player, while I do see more wear and tear on the strings, I'm not busting them in an hour.

I think that Wilson is using the silicone as a balancing tool. Both of mine were very close in spec stock (within half a gram), but they had differing amounts of silicone in the handle. In face, one of them only had silicone in one side of the handle.

Having an accurate scale and balance board comes in handy (especially with Wilson and Head sticks). When I purchase a racket I weigh and balance the stick with cardboard hoop insert, plastic handle wrap etc. still on......that way you have a good chance of duplicating in the future. On the Steam 99s's I have checked (about 8 or 9 of them), I have found the static weight (cardboard/plastic wrap still on) to vary in weight from 319 grams to 326 grams......the balance variation from 2 pts Hal to 6 pts hl....all over the map. Because of this the strung swing weight can vary from approximately 320 to the mid 330's (!). Going to this extra trouble can help you find one you like.

A long while back I posted my thoughts about this frame when our club had a demo night and I had a chance to playtest this stick. In my initial write up I was very impressed and after receiving my two 99S's I still feel the same way. I am a teaching pro in wisconsin and I have a contract with wilson to endorse their products, so you may want to keep that in mind when reading my posts.

Regardless of that disclaimer, I am still impressed with this frame. I played a few drop feed games today with a guy who used to play a little bit on tour (ranked in the 500's) but now is around 55-60 years old (still a sweet ball striker). I usually split the games with him, but today I had his number. He likes to come to the net as he is old school and I was creating some cool angles that I just could not do with other racquets. The best attribute that I found with this frame is the ability to get the ball out of peoples strike zone. In my drop feed games today I felt like he was having to work harder to attack me, and I felt much more comfortable rallying. He usually is pushing me back with flat, heavy groundstrokes, but not today.

I did not notice the high launch angle that everyone is talking about, but I sure do agree about the softness that I feel when hitting; it feels less harsh than my six.one 95. I strung my stick up with Pro's Pro Concept 1.38 at 56 lbs but I will be going up a little in tension as it feels a little bit wild. I will be adding a little lead to the hoop and about 20 grams in the handle via tungsten putty so a higher tension will be needed.

So far, so good. After 9 sets and no hitting, the string is visibly notched and I expect it to break next match or hit. I guess I'm just not that good a player, while I do see more wear and tear on the strings, I'm not busting them in an hour.

The two I have are 1 gram apart.

Cool to hear. Will definitely give this a try. I realized I have some of this string I was given last year to demo, and never got around to it. Thanks for the heads up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dode

I think that Wilson is using the silicone as a balancing tool. Both of mine were very close in spec stock (within half a gram), but they had differing amounts of silicone in the handle. In face, one of them only had silicone in one side of the handle.

John

This wouldn't suprise me if they did this. Lots of times companies add something to the handle to get it within tolerance levels (balance, weight, etc).

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmcb101

Hello TT readers,

A long while back I posted my thoughts about this frame when our club had a demo night and I had a chance to playtest this stick. In my initial write up I was very impressed and after receiving my two 99S's I still feel the same way. I am a teaching pro in wisconsin and I have a contract with wilson to endorse their products, so you may want to keep that in mind when reading my posts.

Regardless of that disclaimer, I am still impressed with this frame. I played a few drop feed games today with a guy who used to play a little bit on tour (ranked in the 500's) but now is around 55-60 years old (still a sweet ball striker). I usually split the games with him, but today I had his number. He likes to come to the net as he is old school and I was creating some cool angles that I just could not do with other racquets. The best attribute that I found with this frame is the ability to get the ball out of peoples strike zone. In my drop feed games today I felt like he was having to work harder to attack me, and I felt much more comfortable rallying. He usually is pushing me back with flat, heavy groundstrokes, but not today.

I did not notice the high launch angle that everyone is talking about, but I sure do agree about the softness that I feel when hitting; it feels less harsh than my six.one 95. I strung my stick up with Pro's Pro Concept 1.38 at 56 lbs but I will be going up a little in tension as it feels a little bit wild. I will be adding a little lead to the hoop and about 20 grams in the handle via tungsten putty so a higher tension will be needed.

Hope this is an enjoyable read!

Thanks for the upfront honesty.

I'm curious if the guy you were hitting with mentioned anything to you, as far as your shots feeling different than before?

Getting more in sync and happier with this rac now. Serving much better. Balance issues just about gone. This frame swings lovely, there's a real ease to it... but I do need to nail those winners better.

Getting more in sync and happier with this rac now. Serving much better. Balance issues just about gone. This frame swings lovely, there's a real ease to it... but I do need to nail those winners better.

Cool to hear. Will definitely give this a try. I realized I have some of this string I was given last year to demo, and never got around to it. Thanks for the heads up.

This wouldn't suprise me if they did this. Lots of times companies add something to the handle to get it within tolerance levels (balance, weight, etc).

Thanks for the upfront honesty.

I'm curious if the guy you were hitting with mentioned anything to you, as far as your shots feeling different than before?

I actually asked him this exact question and he said that he did not really notice all that much. On my side of the net I most certainly noticed it as my passing shots were dipping at an alarming rate; usually he gets a good look at my passes but there was no chance with this stick.

On another note, I hit with one of our most promising juniors who hits a real heavy ball and he could instantly tell the difference. He told me that he felt my ball was pushing him back and kind of exploding off his racquet. On my side of the net I noticed that because I was hitting such a heavy ball he could not get the ball above my shoulders which he often does. For me, I like that I can hit enough spin and depth to not allow those heavy balls to rise above my strike zone.

Lastly, I experimented with 20 grams of Tungsten Putty that I put in the trap door and did not like it one bit. I also added 4 grams of lead at 2:30 & 9:30 which I like a bit more. Coming from a six.one tour I was seeing if I could match the specs that I had with that but I am starting to think that just a little lead in the hoop and some counterbalancing is all I will need, as this racquet is great stock.

Broke the Spin Cycle today, about 5 hours out of it. My other racquet was strung with Isospeed Pulse 17. It is a very, very nice hit. The gauge may be a bit thin for this frame, but the feel was there, just plowed through the ball.

How are the arm/elbows holding up?
Does the open pattern help compensate for the stiffness level?

I just ordered some demos, some arm friendly pk's, a pure storm, and a Dunlop bio 500 tour. Threw in a steam 99s as well (wife's been wanting to try one). I have a dumb elbow so have avoided trying it but some of the revs here have me intrigued. I've hit with a friends shortly and liked it tho. Wondering how it would would feel long term with a soft full bed of poly or if it would be a bad choice for any arm concerns. I worry when the demos come in that I'll jump on the steam and get hooked on it.

Have to say each time I play with it the better its getting, and past concerns are getting ironed out.

Had great session yesterday, really starting to feel I'm using it effectively and as it was designed to be used from the baseline. Serve is becoming very impressive, very lose and great zip and action. I also have to repeat, I find this thing swings so sweetly, so lightning fast, this is a real attraction.

I have a struggle on my hands then working out which to go with between the 99s and somewhat different ( but equally impressive) Blade (open pattern.)

Broke the Spin Cycle today, about 5 hours out of it. My other racquet was strung with Isospeed Pulse 17. It is a very, very nice hit. The gauge may be a bit thin for this frame, but the feel was there, just plowed through the ball.

The more I hit with this frame, the more I like it.

Interesting you broke Spin Cycle so early, how about that Isospeed 15g Baseline string. At $39.99 for a reel on TW it might be worth the $.